2017 is coming to a close, which is weird because it feels like it flew by but it also feels like it lasted 14 years instead of one.
The end of the year is for reflection, and now that it's finally the tail end, here's 17 things I've learned in 2017.
17. Find Time For What You Love
Working 3 jobs sucks. Going to school full time and working sucks. It's an endless cycle, and I started losing myself. I stopped finding the beauty in waking up, because I was so caught up in just doing what I needed to do.
I started reading before bed again. I made time to watch the sunset, I took baths after a crappy day (decked out with candles and wine, obviously. I'M NOT SORRY FOR BEING THAT BASIC), I made sure I got out for a hike at least once a week, and slowly, things started getting easier. I started finding reasons to be happy that I was getting out of bed.
16. Being Scared Is Normal
Growing up is the scariest thing to me. Thinking about having a big girl job, moving away from my parents, and starting a family is so frickin' exciting but also so, so terrifying. It keeps me up at night to think about my parents aging and time passing us by. One day I'm going to have to say goodbye to people I love. It is so scary. But time is time, and we're all going to age and it's okay to be scared, just don't let it stop you from living your life. I have to remind myself to keep going and to not get stuck worrying about the future.
15. It's Okay to Say No
I am a chronic "yes-er". I do not tell people no, and this year I started spreading myself too thin and falling apart because of it. If you are too tired or too stressed to do something say no. It's the cliche "those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Your friends and family will understand.
14. Stop Comparing Yourself
Stop looking at other girls and thinking they are prettier than you, smarter than you, more than you. Love starts with yourself. There is more to life than being skinny and pretty.
13. Tell the Ones You Love That You Love Them
Someday they won't be here. Make sure they know how much you love them.
12. Don't Let Anyone Make You Feel Like Less
Don't let anyone make you feel less than what you are. You are valid, in every way. Those who don't understand have a problem, and it is not yours; it's theirs.
11. Taking "Me" Time is Important
Take a bath after a long day. Read in bed. Drink some wine. Take a drive by yourself, blare the music you love. Scream along. Dance in your bedroom. Being alone isn't always bad. Constantly being surrounded can be. Make sure to have some time to decompress.
10. Stop Putting So Much Pressure On Yourself
Time will tell. Working hard is a great thing, and something I have always prided myself on. But pushing yourself to the edge isn't going to make you successful; it's going to send you to the hospital from a mental breakdown. Everything is going to work out in the end. So in the mean time, let it happen...slowly.
9. Your Kindness Isn't Weakness...
...It's power. Having a big heart will always be a superpower. At the end of the day I can sleep because I know that I treat people with kindness and that I always will. I will never not want the best for every single person, even the ones who have done me wrong.
8. Stand Up For Yourself
Stop letting people walk all over you. Stop letting people treat you like you are small. You're not small. Fight for what you deserve. Stand up for the things you think are right. Stand up for who you are, because no one can take that away from you, so hold it close.
7. People Are Going To Leave
Some of these people are a loss, and some of them are not. The bottom line is if someone decides to walk out of your life, let them. Are they worth fighting for if they don't even want to stay? Put your effort into those who want to be by your side, and let the others go. It's their loss, because you deserve only the best people by your side.
6. Not Everyone is Rooting for You
Some people don't want to see you succeed, so prove them wrong. Sometimes people are going to do whatever they can to try to push you down, and every time, stand back up. You know you're worth, and the people who don't fully support you aren't worth your time.
5. Saying Goodbye is Going To Happen More Often
I have always been the worst at goodbyes. While getting older, I see more people pass away. Childhood friends, high school acquaintances, family members. It's a sad truth knowing that one day could be a goodbye to someone in your life and you may not even know it.
4. Change is Inevitable
No matter where you go and what you do, you can't escape change. People come and go, your body gets different, responsibilities come into your life. Everything is going to change. It changes everyday. I can't seem to welcome it with a smile yet, but maybe one day I will get there. For now, I'll just try to take it as it comes.
3. Don't Ever Be Ashamed of Who You Are
No one is perfect. I know that I have my downfalls and baggage, but I will never be ashamed of what I've gone through and what I've become because of it. Some days are a struggle and I will admit when I'm having a hard time getting out of bed, but I will never be ashamed of it. Ever. Everything I have experienced and felt has made me the person I am today.
2. There is Beauty in Every Day
Somedays just don't seem worth it. Some days I would rather lay in the dark with a blanket over my head to keep me hidden.
I don't let myself do this.
Even if it is one little thing, there is always something to be seen and be appreciated. The blue jays in the backyard, kisses from my pup, an "I Love You" from my parents, snuggles with my kitties, going to sleep next to the person I love. Every day there is a reason to get up and live.
1. You Are Important
One more time for the people in the back.
YOU ARE IMPORTANT.
YOU ARE VALID.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.
YOU ARE SMART.
YOU DESERVE THE WORLD, AND YOU HAVE IT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
You were given this life for a reason.
Live it: laughing, singing, dancing, kissing, learning, loving, screaming, jumping, hugging, giving.
Live it: beautifully, adventurously, fearlessly, authentically, wholly.
